THE 

Gold Fields 



OF 



Cape Nome, 



*ae ALASKA.^ 



By W. A. PRATT. 






Entered according to the Act of Congress, February 
33, 1900, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, Wash- 
ington, D. C. 




F 91Z 

N7 P9 jhE 

Copy 1 



Gold Fields 



OF 



Cape Nome, 



^ALASKA.*£ 



By W. A. PBATT, ffdM ■personal 
observation during his two years search 
for "pay dirt" in the Nome country. 

Card, The Printer, Providence, R. I. 

\ . 




co nPLiEDBY YVm A Pratt N g^f Cit y' Alaska - 



TWO COPIES RECEIVED, 

library of Ceufm* 
Offlee of tfes 

APR 1 6 1900 

Kegltt«r of Cepyrlgfctfc 



• -• ••• ... 






PREEACE. 



This book is published as a means of infor- 
mation for thoscwho are eager ,to obtain a truth- 
ful description of the newAlaskan Gold Fields. 

I have endeavored , to dV scribe things as they 
really are, not as they might be represented by 
those, whose business it is to boom up the coun- 
try regardless of truth, and for their own and 
other benefit. 

If the information herein obtained will be of 
same value to those who contemplate going to 
the new fields, this publication will serve one of 
its objects; another is to make the reader think 
before he undertakes a trip of privation and hard- 
ships of the severest kind, and if I can prevent to 
some extent, a repetition of the Klondike excite- 
ment, caused by exagerated newspaper accounts 
and which proved so disasterous to thousands of 
people, I will feel that this book has not been in 
vain. 

THE AUTHOR. 
Providence, R. I. 



The Nome Gold Fields 



Gbe Cape 1Nome BtetriCt is situated across 
Norton Sound in a north westerly direction, on 
the coast of Alaska, on the Behring Sea, and is 
about 125 miles from St. Michaels and across from 
Nome, almost due West is the tail of Siberia. 
Two years ago, the eminent scientist, Prof. 
Davidson, made extensive geological researches 
in Alaska, and in an article published in one of 
the San Francisco papers, he said, among other 
things, that the gold bearing belt of Alaska was 
undoubtedly very extensive in area, that he be- 
lieved the Auriferous strata would in the future 
prove to run across that section of this continent 
down to the coast, to disappear in Behring Sea, 
emerging again to continue its course in Siberia. 

The thousands of prospectors, whom the 
Klondike excitement sent to Alaska two years 
ago, have proved that Prof. Davidson's theory 
was correct. This gold bearing belt seems to be 
confined to the great stretch of territory compris- 
ed within the 64, 65, 66 degrees North Latitude, 
and as far as yet known, commences about the 
128 degrees longitude, west of Greenwich, finding 
its way across, into Siberia. 

Gold in paying quantities has been found 
right along in the territory above mentioned. 



6 6old fields of Cape Nome* 

There is gold at Mackenzie River, Stewart, 
Sixty mile, Klondike, Forty mile, Eagle City 
District, Circle City District Kuvokuk, Minook, 
the Norton Bay Rivers, Golofin Bay, Fish River, 
and the Cape Nome district, and finally, all along 
the coast as far north as Cape Prince of Wales. 

All along the coast from the mouth of the 
Yukon River the Country is barren and sterile 
for a hundred miles inland, with the exception 
of Norton and Golofin Bays. The- coast moun- 
tains are low and somewhat rounded, gently 
sloping towards the sea; there is not a tree to 
beautify this desolate region, not a single bird to 
cheer up the lonesome path of a broken down 
prospector. Nothing but rocks, moss and small 
willow brush whose branches are not substantial 
enough to, serve him for the purpose of prepar- 
ing a cup of coffee. A more desolate and inhos- 
pitable country it would be difficult to find on 
the Globe, but there is hidden the most "sought 
treasure of Mother earth. 

The water in the creeks and rivers is gener- 
ally dangerous to the human system, consisting 
for the most part of decomposed vegetable mat- 
ter, carrying germs of disease. Along the coast 
a good supply of water soaked drift wood is wash- 
ed up by the ocean waves, this being the only 
available fire wood. Up on the high mountains 
there are IMiarnigans, a bird of the grouse family 



6old fields of Cape Nome. 7 

in abundance, and among the willow brush plen- 
ty of rabbits and some valuable foxes. There is 
a rich growth of grass on the hill sides, which af- 
fords good pasture for Cattle. In the creeks 
some mountain trout are found, and some of the 
rivers are literally swarming with salmon during 
the summer months. Fish is therefore the only 
source on which the prospector can really rely to 
replenish his stock of provisions. The Summer 
is short, cold and wet, the rainfall being similar 
to that of western Oregon and Washington. 'I he 
mosquito, that horrible plague of Alaska, is fully 
as well represented here as in the interior. In 
fact, the whole Country is a living torture for 
man and beast, and it takes men with more than 
ordinary energy and perseverence to spend a few 
years among the barren and storm infested moun- 
tains, looking for the precious metal. The Beh- 
ring Sea and Norton Sound generally freeze up in 
December, and navigation opens in the middle of 
June. The Winter is very severe, with strong 
winds, and at times 60 to 70 degrees below zero. 
The lowest temperature on record last winter was 
58 degrees below, and it is no fun to winter up 
there with the thermometer registering 30 or 40 
degrees below, and a raging gale blowing at the 
rate of 60 miles an hour, with a scant supply of 
water soaked drift wood and a poorly built cabin. 

The discovery of gold in the Cape Nome min- 
ing districts dates back several years, gold being 



8 6old fields of Cape Nome. 

found by the natives many years ago, but they 
were either in ignorance of its value, or kept the 
secret to themselves. Some years after the Swe- 
dish American Missionaries commenced work 
among the Indians at Golofin Bay and Unalaklik 
one of the natives told missionary Hulberg that 
there was gold found in the rivers emptying into 
the ocean at Cape Nome. 

In January, 1898, Mr. Hulberg went on a 
prospecting trip to Sinook and Penny Rivers but 
on account of the cold weather was not able to do 
much work, although good indications of gold 
was found there, and this fact he told some of 
his acquaintances at Golofin Bay. Some time in 
August, 1898 as a consequence of this informa- 
tion, a party of six men consisting of Messers 
Hulberg, Bryntsen, Hegelin, Blake, Porter and 
Kember, started on a prospecting trip to Sinook 
river, some thirty miles northwest of Cape Nome. 
A strong south wind compelled them to put to 
shore in the neighborhood of Snake River, so 
they decided to go up that river. But very little 
work was done, more on account of the small 
amount of provisions brought along, than lack of 
encouragement. After two days stay on Snake 
River, they returned to the boat and set sail for 
Sinook River, where they prospected live days 
with good results. Provisions were riming short 
and the prospectors decided to return to Golofin 
Bay. Mr. Hulberg then made arrangements 



6old fields of Cape Nome. o 

with three Scandinavians, Messers Lindeberg, 
Brynteson and Lindblom, to go over to Snake 
River on a second trip, and this part}- arrived 
there the 15th. of September, and a more system- 
atic way of prospecting was commenced. The 
following creeks were prospected with more or 
less satisfactory results; Anvil, Mountain, Snow, 
Rock, Lindblom, Boulder, Glacier, Dexter and 
Dry Creeks. On Anvil, the best prospect was 
found, consisting of an 80 ounce nugget and 
some coarse gold, which went $25.00 to the first 
pan. After two weeks prospecting, they return- 
ed to Golofnin Bay, arriving there the first of Oc- 
tober. As a result of the discovery of gold, a 
party of six prospectors was made up, and an 
$800.00 outfit secured. In the Mission schooner 
they left Golofnin Bay on the 12th. of October, 
and came over to Snake River for the third time, 
arriving there about the 15th; before leaving Gol- 
ofnin Bay they were joined by Dr. Kettleson and 
Mr. Price. Having the requsite number, the 
Pioneer Mining Co., of Nome, was organized and 
Dr. Kettleson was elected recorder, for the new 
district. 

Leaving the schooner near the mouth of the 
river and taking along two rockers and ample 
provisions, they went up Anvil Creek where they 
immediately commenced rocking. On number 8 
above Discovery, three men rocked out $700.00 
in four days, and on number 7 they took out 



i o 6old fields of Cape JVome* 

$100.00 On number 1 Snow Gulch, three of the 
party rocked out $900.00 in five days. Bed rock 
was found at different depths, varying frcrn one 
to four feet. Finally cold weather set in, pre- 
venting them from further work and on the 3rd. 
of November the prospectors broke camp and 
went down to the mouth of the river, where the 
schooner was frozen solid in two feet of ice. Af- 
ter the boat had been securely made fast to the 
shore, they made for an Indian village, situated 
13 miles east of the river. From the natives of 
that camp they secured a dog team, and started 
for Golofnin Bay, but after having traveled a dis- 
tance of some 25 miles, they met Missionary 
Anderson, who, being provided with reindeer 
teams, conducted them safely to the Mission Sta- 
tion. On the 25th of November, Dr. Kettleson 
and Mr. Lindberg went to St. Michaels and re- 
ported the discovery of gold, while Mr. Bryntson 
and party went to the Unalaklik mission station 
where the}' wintered . Ever}' able bodied man 
from both places went out stampeding, and the 
news spread like wild fire all along the coast, and 
people flocked over the ice to Cape Nome by the 
hundreds. All along the Yukon, in a short time 
the camps were all deserted, and, before the end 
of the following summer the people of Dawson 
City and vicinity, were at the new diggings. It 
is estimated that there were over four thousand 
people 011 this stampede. There was gold every- 
where, of course, and the land must be secured 



6old fields of Cape Ncme, 1 1 

at all hazards. Snake-River, a very appropriate 
rrame for this golden stream is from 35 to 46 miles 
long, and at the mouth is about 200 ft. wide, and 
is navigable with a light draught boat for thirty 
miles, and is not, what the prospectors term a 
swift stream having but few rapids. Some ten 
miles from the mouth it receives from its left 
limit one of its largest tributaries, the celebrated 
Anvil Creek. This Creek is the richest of them 
all, and was where gold was first discovered, the 
bed rock running from 1 to 15 ft. deep. A good 
deal of work was done on Anvil Creek during 
last Summer, considering the difficulties in 
opening up the mines. Lumber for sluice boxes 
had to be brought over from St. Michaels; freight 
rates were very expensive, and naturally it was 
a great draw back to the mine owners, in develo- 
ping their claims. 

It is very hard to estimate the gold output 
for last season, bul I have gathered the follow- 
ing information from several persons who work- 
ed on the different creeks, thus being in a posi- 
tion to know something about the clean up. An- 
vil Creek takes the lead. From 1 below discov- 
ery to 11 above, distance of only 3 miles $1,185 
000 was taken out. The next largest output was 
on Snow Gulch, the clean up being taken from 
only three claims, which yielded $450,000 No. 4, 
on the same gulch sold to Mr. Lane of San Fran- 
cisco for the sum of $40,000 before a pick had 



1 2 Gold fields of Cape ]Vome. 

been stuck into the ground, and is inore of a 
bench, than a creek claim; I have heard that the 
pay streak is nine feet thick on this claim. On 
Glacier Creek, $i 25,000 was taken out, and the 
benches on the left limit also show good pay. 
Several other creeks have shown up well, princi- 
pally Rock, Dry, Onega Russell, Buster and Jess 
Creeks. 

On Nome River, a stream of about the same 
lenght as Snake River, and situated four miles 
east of that river, with headwaters from the same 
mountains, very little prospecting has been done. 
The principal tributary as far as gold producer is 
concerned, is Dexter Creek, which heads from 
the east side of those mountains which constitu- 
tes the headwaters of Anvil Creek. A good deal 
of developement work has been done on three 
claims, and some $150,000 taken out, but lack of 
water prevented the miners from proceeding with 
their work. As for the other creeks in the Nome 
mining district, very little is known; in fact the 
thousands of claims staked out, have never been 
touched by pick or shovel. Prospects have been 
found on several of the Creeks and next season 
will bring to light their qualities as gold pro- 
ducers. 

When work was begun last spring, the miner's 
wages were fixed at $5.00 a day and board, this 
being the customary wages adopted by every 



Gold fields of Cape JVotne. 1 3 

mine owner in the district. In July, gold was 
found in paying quantities on the beach just be- 
low Nome City. The men working on the Creeks 
at $5.00 a day, refused longer to work, and as a 
consequence the mine owners had to raise their 
wages. But men at this advanced rate of $8.00 a 
day and board, were difficult to secure to do the 
work. What miners wages will be during the 
next season, depends wholly on the beach dig- 
gings, and the number of men available. It is 
safe to predict, however that the wages will not 
exceed $5.00 a day and board. 

When I left there (the 22th. of October) 
wages were $2.00 an hour for any kind of work, 
and hard to find men even to work for this en- 
ormous wage. 

There have been several quartz ledges loca- 
ted and recorded, among them the Anvil quartz 
mine, at the head of Anvil Creek, and the Eldo- 
rado quartz mine, in the same locality. Both of 
these ledges contain a rich body of ore, and are 
the property of their discoverers, Mr. S. Siljan, 
Mr. J. L. Leedy, a well known mining man, who 
has also located some quartz mines, at the head 
of Snow Gulch and Mountain Creek. An excel- 
lent prospect was taken from a six foot ledge. 
H. M. Dalton, an old Klondike mining man has 
also located quartz, up the coast which he be- 
lieves when assayed, will show a fine prospect. 



14 6old fields of Cape JVome. 

There will also be several other discoveries made 
before the Winter is out. 

The news of the discovery of gold on Snake 
and Nome rivers, brought a large crowd of dis- 
appointed Klondike prospectors to the new dig- 
gings and naturally some of them cast their eves 
towards the beach, in curiosity, more -than in 
hopes of striking anything. It was during the 
early part of July that the first good prospect 
was made, just below the present site of Nome 
City and it was'nt long before the beach was 
alive with people digging, panning* and rocking 
from morning until night. The beach diggings 
embrace a space of land sixty feet wide and two 
hundred miles in length, and run along from the 
east side of Golofnin Bay, along the coast to 
Cape Prince of Wales. Just in back of the beach 
is the tundra, that continues from one hundred, 
to three hundred feet towards the foot-hills and 
which some had previously been staked in twenty 
acre placer mines. t This ground is much higher 
than the beach. Since gold was found in paying 
quantities on the beach, several of the owners of 
the adjoining tundra claims near Nome City tried 

♦PANNING. — This is by means of a broad 
shallow iron or copper dish, into which is placed 
the gravel and sand and which is filled with 
water, then shaken, which settles the gold on the 
bottom on account of its greater weight. 



(3ctd fields of Cape ]Vc me* 15 

their best to prevent the beach diggers from fur- 
ther working, by claiming that the beach belong- 
ed to them, and also one of the company s laying 
claim to the same ground, at the same time. 

Finally the U. S. soldiers put in their ap- 
pearance and arrested the miners. The supposi- 
tion was, that they would be sent either to St. 
Michaels or Sitka for trial, but when the restau- 
rant keepers were asked how much they w T Ould 
charge per man to feed the prisoners, the answer 
was five dollars per day, and as the blankets for 
bedding for so many men, might also have cost a 
few dollars, and a ship to take them to St. Mi- 
chaels or elsewhere for trial, would also cost 
something, the company or Company 's( It is sup- 
posed to be the Nome Mining & Trading Co. ) 
seemed to realize that they had an elephant on 
their hands, and quite a large one at that. They 
found it to be to their advantage, to release all 
of the men unconditionally and this ended the 
matter for the time being. Whether there will 
be a second act to this huge farce, remains to be 
seen. 

It is very hard to even approximately esti- 
mate how much gold was taken out of the beach 



tCreek and Bench claims as well as the tun- 
dra claims in the Nome district are 1,320 feet by 
660 feet and cover an area of the same space of 
ground . 



1 6 Gold fields of Cape Nome. 

last summer. Some claim it was $2,000,000,000 
others to about #900,000. I have given this mat- 
ter serious consideration, and have come to the 
conclusion, that of the two thousand people, who 
worked on the beach, the average for each man 
will amount to #600 for six weeks work, making 
a total of #1,200,000. I know of but one instance, 
where two men cleaned up #11,000 for two 
months work. I have heard of many instances, 
where the miners have taken out from #100 to 
#500 a day, also of many who made only from 
$6. co to #1.50 a day. The fact remains however, 
that hundreds of dollars worth of gold was taken 
out of the beach last Summer, by men who were 
disappointed elsewhere and dead broke and to 
them the beach diggings have been a blessing, 
and many a home has been made happy through 
this God-send. 

The Beach has literally been turned upside 
down for a distance of thirteen miles north of 
the Snake River, and several miles on the north 
side of Penny River. Good beach diggings have 
been found all along the coast. Next Summer 
there will no doubt, be extensive prospecting 
done on the beach, but if diggings like those 
worked last summer will be found, remains to be 
seen. The beach gold is very line and hard to 
save, and is found in streaks of form one to six 
inches in thickness, on top of a clayish bed rock 
at various depths of from one to six feet. There 



Gold fields of Cape JVcme* 17 

are several streaks of red ruby sand and a blueish 
clay, running through the formation, which hold 
some of the very finest kind of flour gold. By 
the crude process employed by the use of rockers, 
it is safe to say that a great amount of gold is 
lost, although quick-silver is used in amalgamat- 
ing the same. Instead of using woolen blankets 
in the rockers, as most of the miners did last 
summer, blaukets made of rough, cheap brussels 
carpet material, would seem preferable as the 
fine gold would have a chance to settle down 
between the small crevices, and would be preven- 
ted from being washed out. It is also a necessity 
to have an amalgam silver plate, some two feet 
long, placed at the outer, bottom end of the rock- 
er, to catch that gold which will not lodge on the 
blankets. t 

For the information of those contemplating 
a trip to the new gold fields, I will endeavor to 
explain how to proceed in extracting the fine 
gold from the beach sands. The rocker should 
be live feet long by eighteen inches wide in the 
bottom, with an amalgam plate some two ft. 
long, covering the entire outer end. The re- 
ceiving box or hopper should be two feet long, 
and the rocker plate punctured with one quarter 
inch holes, one inch apart. Two aprons placed 
diagonally under each other, covering the size of 
the hopper will suffice to catch the gold. At the 
clean up take out the aprons and wash them well 



1 8 Gold fields of Cape jVctnc. 

in a tub of water. Put the contents of the clean 
up in a prospecting pan, and put the quick-silver 
in; stir it well until all the gold in the sand is 
amalgamated, then pan carefully till there is 
nothing left in the pan but the amalgamated gold. 
Put this amalgam in a piece of cloth or buck-skin, 
and squeeze out all the quick-silver possible, 
what is left in the cloth is gold; save from day to 
day till 30U get enough to retort. A simple way 
of retorting is to put enough gold, with the quick- 
silver that still adheres to it, in a gold pan: hold 
the pan over a good fire, stir it well, and the 
quick-silver will soon evaporate, leaving the pure 
gold in the pan. The use of a rocker in extract- 
ing gold from the sand, is a comparatively slow 
process, and it will not pay, unless the diggings 
are rich. With an average of ten cents to the 
pan, one can manage to rock out from #15.00 to 
#20.00 a day, by steady work, but the stripping 
of the ground takes considerable time especially 
if the pay streak is found at a depth of six feet. 

The only profitable and proper way of working 
the beach diggings and placer mines in general, 
is by the use of sluice boxes. Where a person 
has no steam pump the method following would 
be feasible. This method requires a good supply 
of water, but is always employed when possible. 
One to one and one-quarter inch lumber is placed 
in the form of a box with slats or pole riffles on 
the bottom, or shallow holes bored in the bottom 



Gold fields of Cape jNotne. 19 

in such a way as to catch the gold. After turn- 
ing on the water at the upper end of the sluice- 
box the gravel and sand is now put in and wash- 
ed down by the force of the water, the gold set- 
ling atove the slats or in the shallow holes. On 
the beach, where no running water is obtainable, 
a steam pump is the only way of obtaining the 
necessary water for the sluice boxes. 

Last season four pumping plants were opera- 
ting on the beach close to Nome City, and they 
took out in a short space of time a considerable 
amount of gold. One of them cleaned up at one 
time l5,ooo in a twenty-four hours run. The 
steam pumps used, however were not of the right 
kind, and were not strong enough to furnish the 
necessary amount of water. With a good strong 
steam pump, the boxes furnished with alternate 
sets of string riffles, and Hungarian riffles, to- 
gether, with the Brussels carpet material at the 
bottom and copper plates, or still . better, silver 
plates previously prepared with quick-silver, in 
step like succession at the end of the last box, re- 
ducing the chance of losing the gold. By this 
process dirt can be sluiced with profit that other- 
wise would not yield a man with a rocker #2.00 a 
day. Next season there will be many a steam- 
pump in operation on this golden ruby sand. 

During the first week of July last, a few hun- 
dred prospectors had pitched their tents on the 
present town-site of Nome City. Shortly after 



20 Gold fields of Cape Nome* 

the news of the rich beach diggings were known 
Over the country, people flocked in by thousands 
town lots were laid out, taken posessiou of, and 
jumped, over and over again. The big Trading 
Companies secured suitable locations by the 
block grasping process, and commenced erecting 
store and warehouses. A ship load of timber ar- 
rived in July and an activity in building began, 
the like of which was never seen before in Al- 
aska. The United States barracks and hospital 
were finished in August; the City hall and hun- 
dreds of private shacks sprang up as if by magic. 
Lumber was at a premium, and at my departure 
from Nome the 22nd. of October, it sold for $250 
11 thousand. 



At an election held in September, the muni- 
cipality of Nome was created by a vote of the 
people, and the following officers were elected; 
F. D. Cashel, Mayor; J. F. Rudd, Treasurer; Al- 
onzo Rawson, Munincipal Judge; D. P. Harrison 
Munincipal Clerk; Dr. Gregg. Health Officer; 
Key Pitman, Attorney; D. K. Glenn, Surveyor; 
W. M. Eddy, Chief of Police; \Y. J. Allen, Chief 
of Fire Department; Geo. X. Wright, Wm, Rob- 
ertson, C. P. Dam. A. J. Lowe, Chas. Pennington 
and J. \Y. Donovan, Councilmen. Active steps 
have been taken by the Munincipal authorities 
to establish and maintain law and order, to in- 
sure protection from the ravages of lire, and for 



Gold fields of Cape Nome. 21 

the preservation of public health and other mat- 
ters. 

At the regular meeting of the Nome council 
on Tuesday, October 10, Mayor Cashel submitted 
a memorial, prepared by Judge Clark, for pre- 
sentation to President McKinley, setting forth 
the extent and richness of the mineral deposits 
of this section, and asking the President to re- 
commend in his forth-coming message to Con- 
gress, legislation adequate to the growing needs 
and requirements of Alaska; the division of the 
Territory into two Judicial Districts; the exten- 
sion of the civil and criminal codes and that the 
acts of the Municipality of Nome be ratified and 
confirmed, when not in conflict with written law. 

Wm. J. Allen, formerly of Dawson City, was 
appointed Fire Marshall, by Mayor Cashell, and 
he immediately, with commendable energy, star- 
ted forthwith to institute such public safeguards 
against fire, as were possible. He distributed at 
prominent points about town, a doze'n hand fire 
extinguishers, of three gallons each, two dozen 
hand grenades and some fire axes; he also se- 
cured two pull-down hooks and an alarm bell, 
and made arrangements to use the Price & Lanes 
well; and Claflin Bros.' two 150 gallon reservoirs, 
both of which are connected with pumps, and 
supplied with several hundred feet of hose. A 
detachment of U. S. Soldiers, under th" com- 
mand of Lieut. Crogie is stationed at Nome, and 



22 6old fields of Cape Nome. 

also a U. S. Commissioner and Deputy U. S. 
Marshall. The Masonic Fraternity in Nome is 
represented by upwards of fifty members, we al- 
so having three religious denominations, which 
will look out for the spiritual needs of the Nom- 
ites, one Presbyterian, one Roman Catholic and 
one Congregational Church, serving that purpose. 

The support of Congregational home mis- 
sionary work in Alaska has so far come from the 
contributions of Christian Endeavor societies. 
We have all been thrilled with the published ac- 
counts of the adventures of Rev. L. L. Wirt and 
party in their recent journey to Nome. There 
are two Endeavorers in this heroic company, 
Miss Rosa Lamont of Bethany Congregational 
church, San Francisco, and Miss Elizabeth Ben- 
ton of Plymouth Avenue Congregational church, 
Oakland. Rev. Wirt's work as the Congrega- 
tional Home Mission superintendent for Alaska 
is to superintend the establishment of a hospital 
and reading-room, besides regular church ser- 
vices. The expenses of this establishment will 
amount to about £12,000 this winter. 1 his 
amount has been raised by subscription among 
the people of the town . 

There is pressing need for this work. There 
were nearly 200 cases of typhoid fever in Nome 
when the party arrived, and a great clamor for 
some place besides tents in which to put the sick. 
The people of Oakland who responded to Mr. 



6old fields of Cape jNfcme* 23 

Wirt's call for books can hardly realize how pre- 
cious these will be during the long winter in that 
city of gold. The need of religious work cannot 
be overestimated. All the loose element of Daw- 
son has moved to Nome, including many promis- 
ing young men, who must be kept from sin and 
ruin. 

The far frozen north needs the prayers and 
moral support of us all. Congregational Chris- 
tian Endeavorers especially are asked to remem- 
ber their missionaries in Alaska in their progress 
and to help the Congregational Home Missionary 
Society to keep up the support of a missionary 
there. 

The landing of goods from the Steamers is 
conducted with great difficulty. There is abso- 
lutely no harbor whatsoever, and the Steamers 
are entirely at the mercy of the strong winds that 
generally prevail during the time of navigation. 
When the weather permits, the steamers anchor 
some two miles off shore, and unload their car- 
goes in lighters and small boats, which are at- 
tached to a line running from the uuloading ves- 
sel to the land. As soon as the heavy wind 
comes up, the steamers have to run further out 
from shore, to anchor. Sometimes they have to 
wait from four days, to two weeks before unload- 
ing. In similar cases, the sailing vessels make 
for the open sea, and cruise about until the wind 
settles down. There is always a rough surf, ow- 



24 Gold fields of Cape JVotrte. 

ing to the fact that a sand bar runs all along the 
shore for a distance of many miles, which makes 
a heavy swell. 

The health conditions of Nome City were 
very bad last summer. The ground is swampy, 
and the evaporating moisture is dangerous to the 
human system. One of the practicing physi- 
cians told me, that on the 15th, of October over 
100 people were sick with typhoid fever, and a 
good many others afflicted with various diseases, 
principally of the stomach. I hadn't landed 
there three days before it took a firm grip upon 
me and it stayed with me until after I arrived at 
San Francisco. The cause of so much t: ouble 
was the bad water and the wet ground, on which 
people, living mostly in tents, were sleeping. 
Water for drinking purposes should always be 
boiled before using. 

The military hospital was occupied to its 
fullest capacity, also the City hospital, which 
was to be re-built and enlarged. The Rev. L. L. 
Wirt arrived on the steamer Homer, the second 
week of October, with lumber, materials and 
necessary supplies, as also a full staff of nurses, 
for the new hospital. In the meantime the pa- 
tients are temporarily located in one of the Al- 
aska Transportation Co's. warehouses, and those 
in the City hospital were removed to these quar- 
ters, until the completion of the new building. 
Much sickness and suffering art- the lot of the 



6old fields of Cape Nome* 25 

few who are spending the long winter months in 
this severe and inhospitable country. 

The supply of fresh water is mostly taken 
from Dry Creek, but people living in town have 
to carry their water from this Creek quite a dis- 
tance across a swamp}-, soggy, marsh land. 
Mess. Trice & Lane sunk their well in the heart 
of the Town, the water being pumped by means 
of a steam pump, and it is dished out to the 
miners at the price of 25c. for two bucket fulls. 

Fuel and provisions were the vital questions 
at Nome. Coal was $151x00 per ton and was for 
sale by the Alaska Commercial Co., only. Later 
on the Steamer Portland brought up some 600 
tons from Dutch Harbor, it being the only sup- 
ply at Nome, the 18th. of October. This amount 
\\ ill not be half enough to supply the demand for 
so many people during the long winter. Just be- 
fore I left there, coal took a jump to $250.00 a ton 
and in a day or so, the restaurants had the re- 
maining coal all bought up. Some drift-wood 
will be used by the Town people, who will have 
to pay a high price for that water-soaked dead- 
wood, which burns well enough, if dried, but is 
lacking in life and heat. All the drift-wood a- 
lound Nome City, for a distance of 15 miles has 
been piled up by the thousands of people who 
spent the summer there. There are now a few 
hundred people at Nome, mostly those early ar- 
rivals who gathered up the wood supply. A 



26 6old fields of Cape JVcme. 

large amount of this drift-wood has been utilized 
for building purposes; hundreds of cabins have 
been erected along the shore and far up Snake 
River, and Dry Creek, besides, much of the wood 
has been piled up by the Trading Go's., and a 
few individuals for the purpose of speculation, 
and has thus been monopolized. By next Sum- 
mer, it is safe to say that not a stick of drift- 
wood can be had within twenty five miles of 
Nome City. 

Provisions were quite expensive when I ar- 
rived there; flour was quoted at $12.00 for 100 lbs., 
sugar 50c. per lb., bacon 35 to 50c. per lb., beans 
30 to 40c. per lb., butter $1.50 per lb., milk 75c. 
to $1.00 a can, potatoes 50c. per lb., dried fruit 35 
to 50c. per lb., and other eatables in proportion. 
After two days stay in Nome, grub ran entirely 
out, which compelled many of us, to eat in the 
restaurants, although I had a years supply, but 
was unable to cook the same, on account of t he- 
scare ity of wood and coal. 

The restaurants were doing a land office bus- 
iness for awhile, or until they ran out of food. 
The following was the bill of Fare up to the 22nd. 
of October; corned beef hash $2.00, pickled pigs 
feet $2.00, canned oyster stew $2.00, canned lob- 
ster $2.( o, club sausage ^2.00, toasted cheese #1.00, 
cold bain ;m><\ fried ham $ I. 50, canned salmon 
$1.00, hamburg steak 52.50, clam chowder #1.00, 
hot cakes, with maple syrup, 75c., sardines per 



Gold fields of Cape ]Nome* 27 

box $1.00, chicken tamales $1.00, pork and beans 
$2.00, cheese with any order 25c, sirloin or rein- 
deer steak $2.50 to $3.00, ham and eggs $2.50 to 
$3. go, 3'eggs any style $2.50, mush and milk 50c, 
and fruits and jams 50c. per dish. 

The business fraternity of Nome City is re- 
presented as follows: Wholesale and Retail 
Dealers in General Merchandise: — Alaska Com- 
mercial Co. North American Transporatiou and 
Trading Co., Alaska Exploration Co., Simpson 
& Co., Kimball & Co., Claflin Bros. Besides 
these wholesale and retail houses, there were 
five grocery stores, four drug stores, eleven res- 
taurants, two photographers, eight lodging-hou- 
ses, six bakeries, one watchmaker and jeweler, 
four second-hand stores, one shoe shop, one tin 
shop, four barber shops and eighteen saloons, 
which sell whiskey and beer at 50c. a glass. 
There are seven lawyers, five physicians, two 
dentists and three real estate and mining brok- 
ers. 

On the 9th. of October the first newspaper, 
"The Nome News" was published by Major 
Strong, a very able newspaper man, from Daw- 
son City. 'Another plant was brought up by Mr. 
Cole, of San Franciso, who, at my departure was 
busily engaged in fixing up "The Gold Digger" 
Still another newspaper plant was sent up by 
Mr. Geo. Story, of Dawson City, but the entire 
outfit went to the bottom of the sea, during: a 



28 6old fields of Cape Nome, 

storm, while on board a scow in the harbor of 
St. Michaels. The Nome post office is in charge 
of Mr. J. H. Wright. Just before I left there 
some arrangements were being made for a winter 
mail route over the ice, by the way of Dawson 
City to vSt. Michaels, thence to Nome City, and 
which at the present time is in operation. 

Prospecting in Alaska is connected with priv- 
ations and hardships of every kind. This is true, 
when the prospector, goes into a Country where 
wood is plentiful and some game obtainable to 
replenish his stock of provisions, and thus enable 
him to have an occasional change of diet. But 
how much more severe is prospecting in a Coun- 
try like the Great Peninsula on which the Nome 
Mining district is situated, one can hardly sur- 
mise. There is no wood, nothing with which h; 
can put up a cabin, or shack, to shelter him from 
the severe cold and icy winds of nine long win- 
ter months and the rainy, disagreeable climate 
of the summer. Add to this the fact that his 
provisions consist principally of canned goods, 
such as corned beef, mutton, roast beef, evapora- 
ted potatoes and all kinds of evaporated and 
condensed stuff, put up perhaps in years gone 
by, why, the Alaskan prospector needs a d'g.st- 
t!ve apparatus made to order for the Alaska 
trade, that is strong enough to digest even the 
material in which all goods are packed. No 
wonder people in Alaska are so frequently sub- 



Gold fields of Cape JVome. 29 

ject to that dreadful disease, scurvy. Army beef 
is'nt in it with long kept Alaskan beef. Another 
difficulty encountering the average prospector, is 
his inability, and in man)* cases, his carelessness 
in preparing his food in a proper way. I have 
seen men living like hogs, in dirt and mire, cook- 
ing their food in such a careless manner that no- 
body, but, well, themselves would attempt to eat 
it. Such people, do not, as a rule stand life in 
Alaska ver} T long. I have seen men eat out of 
the same plate time and time again, without 
cleaning the same. Absolute cleanliness with 
dishes, in the cabin, or tent, together with strict 
attention as to how the food is prepared, are es- 
sential to the preservation of health, and that 
luxury, which in civilized countries is termed, 
comfort. 

The question may be asked, is it advisable to 
go to Cape Nome? I would answer in the nega- 
tive, simply on the ground that every placer 
claim in 1he Nome Mining district is taken, and 
no chance left for the new comer. But the sur- 
rounding country is large, and its resources as a 
mineral producer seems to be favorable. 

The Golofnin Bay or Fish River district is 
situated about 75 miles north of St. Michaels 
and is 60 miles in an easterly direction from 
Nome City, and was prospected fo - he first time 
during the fall of 1896. Prospects were very en- 
couraging but the first discovery of gold in pay- 



30 6old fields of Cape JVotnc. 

ing quantities was made on Ophir and Melsing 
Creeks, tributaries of Neuckluck river, where 
they struck from $1.85 to $22.00 to the pan. The 
Neuckluck river is a tributary of Fish river. 

Gold in paying quantities has also been found 
on Sweetcake, Casa de Parga, Gold Bottom and 
Warm Creeks. Placers in this district should be 
easy to work, as bedrock is reached at a depth of 
from 3 to 8 feet. Very little prospecting has 
been done on these rivers as yet; the preference 
in prospecting on the Norton Bay rivers consists 
principally in the fact that good timber is found 
all along the different creeks in that district, 
which comprises hundreds of square miles of 
territory. The largest timber (which is about 18 
inches thick and from 40 to 60 feet long) can be 
secured a short distance north of the Neuckluck 
river. Claims in this district are 1,320 feet by 
660 feet and Council City is the headquarters of 
the recorder. Farther east from Golofnin Bay, 
around Norton Bay, in the latter part of last sea- 
son, a few prospectors proceeded to various 
points, but up to the time I left, no authentic! 
reports were received. Before my departure, 
gold in paying quantities was reported found on 
some of the tributaries oi Kuyok River. A party 
of four from Nome City secured a boat and went 
across the water to prospect 011 the above men- 
tioned river during the winter. Again gold has 
been found on the vSinook River, thirty miles 



Gold fields of Cape JVcme* 31 

northwest of Nome, as also in the Ruby, Cape 
York, and as far north as Cape Prince of Wales, 
in all of which places gold was reported to have 
been found. 

Cape York is situated about 90 miles north- 
west of Nome City and it is thought the Ouoha- 
ouk district, of which York City is the recorder's 
headquarters, will prove to be very rich. Little 
as yet is known regarding the creek and tundra 
claims in this district, although prospects show 
indications that the ground is rich in gold. The 
claims in this district are 500 feet up and down 
creeks, by 660 feet wide. Tundra claims are 1, 
320 feet by 660 feet. 

Besides these districts, there are the Fair 
View, Eldorado, Flambore and Bonanza, Dis- 
covery and Blake districts and also Cripple, 
Penny, and the Solomon river districts, of which 
very little has been staked and recorded. 

In Bonanza district a few locations were 
made last season on Flambeau, Eldorado, Bon- 
anza and Solomon rivers and their numerous 
tributaries, where it is said they have found 
from ioc. tp $5 to the pant Creek, bench and tun- 
dra claims in this district are 1,320 by 660 ft; Port 
Safety is the mining recorder's headquarters for 
the district. The United States Coast and Ge- 
odetic vSurvey, advise that there is a channel of 

JThere are about five pans to a cubic foot. 



32 Gold fields of Cape JVome. 

six feet of water at low tide, over the bar at Port 
Safety, and that it is considerable deeper inside 
the harbor. 

I have gathered the following extracts from 
the Nome papers which may interest some of yon 
who are contemplating journeying to the new 
diggings; 

As high as $4.80 to the pan was found on In- 
dependence creek and Fair View district. 

Moose Creek forty miles from Nome and fif- 
teen miles from the coast pans out from 5c. to 60c. 

A fabulously rich strike is said to have been 
made on the Siberian coast, and a number of 
people are preparing to go over there and inves- 
tigate. (I believe the Russian Government is 
considering the advisability of opening up that 
section of the country to the American miners, 
and with liberal mining laws as on the Ameri- 
can side. There will no doubt be some rich 
strikes made there the following summer. 

W. I. King, Hill Newman and Ceo. Dody, 
who have been in this section for the past year, 
say that Camp Creek, in the Sinook district, 
prospects better than any part of Anvil Creek, 
and the latter creek is known to be all light. 

W. Thompson, Mining Recorder for the Sin- 
ook district, and Deputy Recorder for the Fair- 
view district, who is in the citv, savs that both 



Gold fields of Cape jVome. 33 

these districts promises well and that extensive 
development work will be done next season. 
Considerable prospecting will also be done on 
tht tundra ground, back from the coast, where, 
it is believed, exists rich deposits of gold. 

On Moss Creek, a tributary of Nome River, a 
Buffalo Co., has opened up discovery claims with 
flattering results, and work will be vigorously 
prosecuted next season. Bed rock has been 
reached at a depth of three ft. and as high as $2. 
to the pan has been found. There are only eight 
claims on this Creek. 

On a claim on Extra Dry Gulch owned by 
Hoxie <S: Co., $90.00 in nuggets and coarse gold 
was picked up in the frozen ground a few days 
ago. 

Frank Harkin has a nugget impregnated 
with quartz, which he found near the head of 
Snake River last July, worth $103.00. It is a be- 
autiful specimen. 

P. J. Lauritzen has secured a three years 
lease of No. 3 Below r , Anvil Creek, and his son 
Lauritz has gone to the States, where he will pur- 
chase a pimping plant, sluicing machinery, as 
well as horses, ploughs and scrapers, to work 
the claim on a large scale next season. 

F. McQuillan and B. B. Earle, owners of No. 
1 1 on Dexter, have gone outside to winter. No. 
11 is a promising claim and it is said $10,000.00 



34 Gold fields of Cape JVome. 

was refused for it, just previous to the departure 
of Messers McQuillan and Earle. They will re- 
turn early iu the spring, bringing with them a 
number of burros and pack horses. The result 
of recent prospecting gives assurance of the rich- 
ness of Minnesota and Shovel creeks, of this dis- 
trict, and the output next summer is expected to 
be large. Fifty cents to the pan can be had any- 
where on discovery, on Minnesota. This is 
owned by A. F. Ray nor, who also owns some of 
the richest ground on Shovel Creek. 

S. E. King, of Council City, is in town from 
the Golofnin Bay country; having spent last win- 
ter in that section. He says that some of the 
creeks are promising. Mr. King local ed on 
Ophir Creek last March. The creeks on which 
prospecting has been done, besides Ophir, are 
Sweetcake, Crooked, Dutch, Balm' of Gilead, 
Skukum, and several others. The best prospect 
has been found on Crooked Creek, where 54.50 
to the pan has been found, with a fifty-two foot 
pay streak. Balm of Gilead has yielded from 2 
rents to 60 cents to the pan. 

I). W. Walker of San Franciso, who recently 
returned from a trip to Cape York, is well ple- 
ased with the prospects of that place. Mr. Wal- 
ker is located on Bituck and Kaizerook creeks. 
A good strike has been reported across the divide 
from the Anacovik river, where the prospects 
are said to be even better than on this side. Mr. 



Gold fields of Cape f^ome* 35 

Walker thinks that three men lost their lives in 
a small boat last week at Cape York; they were 
blown out to sea and he is of the opinion that 
they perished. He emphasizes the need of life 
saving stations between here and Cape York; one 
at Port Clarence and another at the sand-pit. 

Rich discoveries are reported at Nagowyok, 
in the Cape Prince of Wales district near Cape 
York, about ioo miles north of Nome. A stam- 
pede has been in that direction for the week 
past, but owing to the lack of fuel, most of the 
stampeders returned. In the past ten days some 
Powers of Attorney have been made out, to be 
used in the new districts. 

While gold has been found on the beach in 
that vicinity, most of the prospecting has been 
confined to the creeks, in some of which coarse 
gold is alleged to have been found in good quan- 
tities. It is estimated that fifty people will win- 
ter at Cape York and in that neighborhood. 

Extracts also from the Nome papers: 

The outlook for Nome during the coming 
winter months is not roseate; indeed, it is the re- 
verse. Much sickness and death prevail at the 
present time, and it is to be feared that a serious 
condition of affairs will maintain the entire win- 
ter. The prevalence of disease and death is a 
concomitant of all new towns where the condi- 
tions are such as exist here. In a rush such as 



36 Gold fields of Cape jVome. 

lias characterized the discovery of rich gold fields 
in this district, and especially at this late season 
of the year, privation, want and suffering are al- 
most certain. It is to be greatly regretted that 
so many people have flocked into the camp with- 
out due forethought or preparation for what is 
before them, but such being the case the situa- 
tion must be met and faced unflinchingly. While 
there may be no danger of actual starvation the 
fact remains that the food supply is limited, and 
the scarcity of lumber and timber prevents peo- 
ple from houseing themselves as they should in 
order to withstand the cold of a sub- Arctic win- 
ter. The sick will have to be cared for and the 
dead buried. The burden, which promises to be 
heavy, cannot be borne by a few self sacrificing 
men and women. It is- the common duty of all. 

It is no use to temporize or inveigh against the 
folly of coming here at the most inclement sea- 
son of the \ear, or the recklessness or improvi- 
dence, or what not, that has left them without 
friends or sick and friendless. As many of the 
ute as possible should be sent out of the 
i ountry, and organized effort is necessary to take 
care of the sick. Desultory or individual action 
will accomplish but little. There should be a 
through organization, and relief measures should 
be conducted as efficiently and economically as 
possible. The tax will be a heavy one, but it is a 
condition and not a theory that confronts ns. 



Gold fields of Cape Nome* 37 

\\Y are face to face with a serious problem and it 
must be met manfully and courageously. 

Let the people of Nome keep a stiff upper lip. 
After clouds comes sunshine. It is always well 
to take a cheerfull view of things. Nothing is 
quite so bad but that it might easily be worse. 

The recent spell of soft weather has had the 
effect of again starting up work on the beach dig- 
gings, and the creak of the rocker has been 
heard on all sides once more. 

We will probably after all, have mail com- 
munication with the outside world, the indiffer- 
ence of our Uncle Sam to the country, notwith- 
standing. 

Sorrow may endureth for a night, but joy 
cometh with the morning. So with Nome; the 
coming winter may be hard and severe, but with 
the advent of Spring will come plenty and pros- 
perity. 

Specimens of gold quartz which have been 
exhibited in Nome recently, indicate that fab- 
ulously rich ledges exist in this vicinity. 
There is lijttle doubt that rich quartz mines will 
be developed in this district in the near future. 

Now that the period of winter isolation is 
fairly upon us, we will have ample opportunity 
of helping one another and improving ourselves. 
In a community such as this, the utmost good- 



38 Gold fields of Cape Nome. 

fellowship is eminently desireable. Let us be 
neighborly. 

Since Uncle Sam has "gone roving in his 
proud old ship of state" to quote from Mr. Sam 
Dunham's excellent poem, and is bent on colo- 
nial extension, we respectfully suggest, that the 
"colony" of Alaska is fairly entitled, by virtue 
of patience, long siiffering and its great natural 
wealth, to receive a large degree of consideration 
at our Uncle Samuel's hands. 

We want a laud office here in Nome. Let 
the people work for its establishment and we 
will get it. The great gold discoveries in this 
section, will cause Alaska to receive more atten- 
tion at the hands of Congress, than ever before. 
And we may reasonably expect some legislation 
adequate to our needs. 

A good solidly built, flat bottomed, and deck- 
ed sail boat, with centre board, is a necessity for 
prospecting along the different rivers emptying 
into Norton Sound and the Bering Sea. The sea- 
son is short and it is necessary to use every means 
for making quick trips, as the distance between 
each river system is rather great. The United 
vStates mining laws permit the staking and re- 
cording of a placer claim, or a mineral bearing 
lode, for non-residents, through what is called a 
Power of Attorney, which has been used to a 
great extent on the Nome country. It is a good 



Gold fields of Cape JNfcme. 39 

law in one way, giving the people in the States a 
chance to acquire property without any hardships 
etc. On the other hand, it does not seem fair, as 
it prevents people up there from acquiring this 
same property, which by rights ought to be theirs. 
They endure the hardships and labor, and spend 
their hard earned money, all the time hoping 
they will make a rich strike somewhere. It is 
a law which should be altered somewhat, but un- 
til then, it will be taken advantage of by, pros- 
pectors. 

The following is the form: 

Power of Attorney. 

Know Ale Men By These Presents: — 

That I of the Town of 

County of 

State of , have constituted, ordained, 

and made and in my stead and place, put and by 
these presents, do constitute, ordain appoint, 

in the Territory 

, to be my true, sufficient and 

lawful attorney for me and in my name and stead 
and for my use and beneiit to locate and patent 
mining claims, mill sights and w T ater rights, 
in any mining district in the territory of Alaska, 
U. S. A. Giving and Granting unto my said at- 
torney full power and authority about the prem- 
ises; and to use all due means, course and process 
in accordance with the laws of United States and 



40 6old fields of Cape JVcme. 

the mining district or districts in which my said 
attorney ma}- locate mining claims, mill sites 
and water rights, hereby giving to my said at- 
tornev full power and authority to do any and all 
things in the premises that ma}' be necessary to 
carry out the power herein conferred, to wit: 

The locating and patent thereof said claims, 
I, said ratifying, allowing and hold- 
ing firm and valid, all and whatsoever my said 
attorney- shall lawfully do, in strict accordance 
with these presents. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my 

hand and seal, at said on this 

day of 190- ... in presence of 

State of 

Countv of 



Be it known, that on the day of 

before me Notary Public and for the 

County of duly commissioned and 

sworn, dwelling in the City of personally 

came and and appeared to me per- 
sonally known and known to be the same person 
described in, and who executed the above Power 
of Attorney, and he acknowleged the above I'>\\ 
er of Attorney to be his free act and deed. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto sub- 
scribed my name and affixed my seal of office, 
the day and year last above written. 

Xotarv Public. 



Gold fields of Cape Nome* 41 

The Nome gold fields, are easily reached from 
the outside and the transportation facilities I be- 
lieve, by next Spring, will be on an up-to-date 
basis. It is a different trip to make from going 
into the Klondike, \ia Skaguay. You go on 
board a steamer in San Francisco or Seattle, and 
can sleep until you get there. A person needs a 
good outfit of grub, cooking utensils, clothing 
ect., and a good pair of lungs, to stand the heavy 
atmosphere in the winter time. 

'J he selection of an outfit is of great impor- 
tance; nothing but the best quality of provisions 
should be procured, and the goods packed in 50 
pound waterproof sacks, with name and contents 
marked on the outside of each sack. 

The following is a list of provisions for one- 
man, intending to stay one year. 
Flour, 400 lbs. 

Beans, (Lima and Bayo) 100 lbs. 
Bacon, 150 lbs. 
Dried Beef, 25 lbs. 
Canned Meats, 50 lbs. 
vSalt Pork, 75 lbs. 
Soap, 25 lbs. 
Rolled Oats, 50 lbs. 
Apples, evaporated, 50 lbs 
Prunes, 25 lbs. 
Peaches, 25 lbs. 
Apricots, 25 lbs. 
Potatoes, sliced, 60 lbs. 



42 6old fields of Cape Nome. 

Peas, split, 25 lbs. 
Sugar, 150 lbs. 
Coffee, 25 lbs. 
Tea, 5 lbs. 

Condensed Milk, (Eagle Brand) 50 cans. 
Rice, 25 lbs. 
Salt, 15 lbs. 

Vegetables, compressed, 25 lbs. 
Hard Tack crackers, 25 lbs. 
Baking Powder, (Royal) 10 lbs. 
Butter, 75 lbs. 
Yeast Cakes, 4 dozen. 
Lard, 25 lbs. 
Spices, assorted, 4 lbs. 
Vinegar, condensed, 2 bottles. 
Matches, 2 cans. 

Delacasies, canned goods, etc., to suit the 
taste and idea of the individual. 

For clothing, a person needs: — 

2 Light Flannel Shirts. 

2 Heavy Woolen Shirts. 

1 Arctic Fur Cap. 

1 dozen Pairs Heavy Woolen Socks. 

1 Heavy Sweater. 

2 Pairs Mocassins. 

2 Pairs German Socks. 
2 Suits Heavy Woolen Under Wear. 
2 Suits Heavy Balbrigan Under Wear for 
Summer use. 

4 Suits Heaw Closely Woven Silk Under 



6old fields of Cape j^cme, 4* 

Wear with elastic neck piece and elastic ristlets. 
( Quite necessary owing to various pests of Alas- 
ka. ) 

i Heavy Canvas Suit, lined on the inside 
with Gutta Percha and Heavy Flannel. 

r Working Suit for Summer use. 

2 Pairs Overalls, brown. 

i Prair Oil Skins. 

i Pair Hip Rubber Boots, (Gold Seal. 

i Fur Robe. 

2 Pairs Heavy Woolen Blankets. 

2 Pairs Rubber Blankets. 

i Pair Buckskin Mitts. 

i Pair Double Woolen Mitts. 

i Pair Artie Rubbers. 

i Pair Alaskan Mucklets, (for sale at St. 
Michaels or Cape Nome.) 

i Pair High Top Boots. 

i Pair Shoes. 

i Pair Arctic Rubbers. 

r Tent. 

r Stove. 

i Coal Oil Stove and some 15 gallons of coal 



oil 



1 Sled. 

1 Galvanized Bath Tub. 

1 Gold Pan. 

2 Picks. 

2 Shovels. 

1 Cross-cut Saw. 

1 Long Saw. 



44 Gold fields of Cape Nome, 

i Axe. 

i Hatchet. 

i Double-barrel Shotgun. 

Fishing Tackle. 

Cooking utensils, etc. 

In conclusion I wish to impress upon the 
public the fact that prospecting in Alaska is one 
of the hardest occupations in life, one where even 
the strongest of men have met with premature 
death, since the discovery o r gold in the Klon- 
dike. All that glitters is not gold, and ^he in- 
tending Alaska prospector should always bear in 
mind that, his life and experiences in Alaska will 
not be a bed of roses, but should always expect 
the worst kind of hardships and disappointments. 

Numerous Transportation companies will ad- 
vertise sailing dates in April and early May, 
but I would advise no one to leave 'Frisco or 
vSeattle for the gold fields, before the last of May 
or the first of June, as a persons life would be 
endangered on account of the dangerous ice that 
will be encountered in Behring Sea by leaving 
earlier. Government officials who have naviga- 
ted boats in the Behring Sea, have advised the 
miners, that under ordinary conditions the above 
date would be about the safest to start, but there 
is a possibility of the ice breaking up and mov- 
ing out of Behring Sea a few days previous. 

I would advise no one to leave a comfortable 
home and a good situation, for a speculative trip 



Gold fields of Cape Nome. 45 

to the Alaskan rivers and mountains; but to 
those who "care not," to those who have no one 
to depend upon them for support, and to those 
who cannot improve a miserable existance in a 
civilized community, I would say — go, and try 
vour luck. 



THE END. 



Hppendix. 

extracts from the JVome papers. 

We call attention to the unusually interesting 
article in the issue of "The Gold Digger" writ- 
ten by Herbert Murray, on the mineral wealth 
of Nome. Mr. Murray is an educated and ex- 
perienced mining man, who is unusually care- 
ful in estimating the wealth of a camp. 



Advantages of Nome. 

F)as immense stores of Gold 
easily and cheaply extracted* 

Herbert Murray on the countless things 
indicating this as a great camp. 

To the editor of the "Gold Digger" 

DEAR SIR; 

Before twenty-four months from the date 
of discovery the Cape Nome mining district, 
Nome will have a population of 30,000 souls 
and be the greatest commercial center north 
of Seattle ; within three years Cape Nome 
will be the greatest mining center in the 



Gxtracts from JVotne papers* 47 



world. Why? Because Nome has all the 
features that go to make a great mining 
camp. 

To become great a gold field must be 
easy to reach ; there must be a large extent 
of ground rich in gold: the claims must be 
shallow; there must be water to work them 
and the gold must be in such a condition that 
a large per cent of it can be saved. 

Nome posesses all these advantages and 
will become great because she has immense 
stores of gold that can be extracted without 
much of a loss, quickly and cheaply, conse- 
quently the gold will be divided among a 
large number of men, and the result will be 
prosperity to all. 

It is not alone how much gold a claim 
contains that determines its value, it is how 
much of the gold that the claim contains can 
be saved, and how much it is going to cost 
to save it. What is left after paying the ex- 
penses of working the claim is profit. Nome 
gold has been pronounced by all mining men 
as exceptionally pure. It is bright, very clean 
and amalgamates perfectly on plates. 

Nome being on the coast can be reached 
easily and directly by large vessels ; conse- 
quently men, supplies and machinery can be 



48 extracts from jVome papers, 



• 

shipped here speedily, cheaply and safely. 
There will be no tedious transfers and costly 
freighting overland on men's backs at $400 a J 
ton, as has occnred at other places. 

Nome is under our own government, 
which imposes no unjust royalties and our 
officials have been free from the corrupt prac- 
tices which have characterized the Canadian 
officials in the Klondike. 

The most valuable feature the Nome pla- 
cer posesses is its similarity to the early Cal- 
ifornia placer. They are shallow, hardly 
ever exceeding five feet to bedrock. This | 
means that the ground can be easily and rap- 
idly prospected; and that the gold can be ex- 
tracted quickly and at all small expense. 
there being very little non-paying dirt to re- 
move and to get rid of before reaching the 
pay- streak. 

Nome's beach diggings alone have pro- 
duced about $2,000,000 already and will pro- 
duce many millions more before they are ex- 
hausted. This beach, which runs from 75 to i 
200 feet wide, has been prospected for over 
sixty miles and every mile of it will pay. 

Every one of the hundreds of men who 
)•(>( ked has averaged an ounce of* gold a dav. 
Numbers of expert oldtimers have made from 



6xtracts from JVcme papers 49 



I $50 to .$300 a day, and occasionally a clean- 
up of from $1,000 to 1,500 bas been reported. 
Tbe pay streaks runs clown to the waters 
edii - e and bow ranch further no one has been 
! able to work to find out. 

These beach diggings, a small part only of 

which have been worked, make Nome the 

superior of any mining camp in the world, 

i because between high and low water mark 

i no title can be had to any claims, consequen- 

i tly anyone at any time can work anywhere on 

the beach; and, if everything else fails, the 

Nome miner can always go to the beach and 

make a grub stake. 

The resources of the beach are so vast, 
that, notwithstanding that the camp is a year 
old and bas contained more than 3,000 peo- 
ple, neither the tundra, creek nor quartz 
claims have been given any attention save in 
isolated cases, and these few cases have 
proved bonanzas. 

The tundra diggings, which prospect as 
rich as the beach diggings, extend from the 
j beaclr'three or four miles to the foot-hills ; 
but so far no work has been done save to 
prospect, owing to the richness and to the 
proximity of the beach diggings to water, 
rendering them the easier to work. 

Three or four miles from the beach lie 



50 extracts frcm J^otnc papers. 



the foot-hills, containing many creeks and 
streams. That many of these streams are 
immensely rich has been proved beyond a 
doubt by the little work already done on 
them. Of the few claims already worked 
numbers have pa d over $10') a day to the 
man, and one claim has a record of two hun- 
dred and fifty thousand dollars for two 
months' work. 

On these as on the tundra claim work 
has been postponed, everyone turning his at- 
tention to the beach where only a rocker was 
needed with which to work. 

Besides the placer diggings, numerous 
ledges of high grade quartz have been locat- 
ed, but as yet no one has prospected systema- 
tically for lode claims. 

Next year, with the big inrush of people 
which is bound to occur, then- will be enough 
men to work not only the beach but tundra 
and creek claims. Hundreds of men who 
left at. the end of the season have gone out 
lor the purpose of purchasing mining ma- 
chinery with which to return and work their 
claims next summer; and in luOO Nome will 
produce more gold than has ever come out of 
any camp in a year since '49. 

Besides the Nome district there are other 
districts which have been discovered recent- 



Gxtracts from J\cmc papers. 51 



ly in adjoining territory which promise as 
well as Nome. This winter when the ground 
gets hard enough to enable traveling there 
will be hundreds of men out exploring new 
regions with the result that undoubtedly 
other rich districts will be discovered. 

HERBERT MURRAY 
Nome, Oct. 28, 1899. 



Hdditional Gxtvacts* 

The steamer Aloha, which left for San 
Francisco a few T days ago, had aboard about 
1,000 bags of beach sand which while used as 
ballast, is to be amalgamated and used in 
connection with amalgamation tests, in order 
to ascertain what machines are best for treat- 
ment of this sand. The Albion will take 
about 3,000 sacks. J. H. Caldwell, of the N. 
A. T. Co., St. Michaels, who reached here a 
few clays ago on the Portland bringing im- 
portant letters has been frozen in and in all 
probability will have to spend a good part of 
the wrrfter here. 

While no developement work has been 
done on the creeks in the Cape York district, 
it is certain that good prospects have been 
found and the new district will no doubt prove 
rich. 



52 Gxtract© from jVome papers. 



Not more than thirty-two or thirty-three 
years ago this country was derisively called 
u Sewards Ice Chest" but the illusions held by : 
the wise men of a generation ago are pretty 
nearly dissipated, and the worth of this great 
territory is gradually becoming known. 

The question of trusts promises to be a 
leading one in the next campaign. Politi- 
cians and statesmen of every stripe are airing 
their views from the rostrum and in the 
press. Up here in the " Wilds of Alaska" we 
can give our brethren in the State a pointer; 
There is no trust, everybody pays cash. 
Thus we are twice blessed. 

Chas. D. Lane, the well know California 
mine owner who recently visted Nome, made 
several extensive purchases of claims while 
here, the amount paid for his holdings being 
about $90,000. 

Bacon and Beans are all right if one has 
a good digestion. 

Wm. Snyder, famed as a rocker maker 
in the Klondike, has taken up his residence in 
Nome. 

Nome is a winner. Now just watch the 
town grow. At the recent municipal election 
a total of 1,418 votes were cast. Not a small 
vote for a town a few weeks old. 



Bxtracts from jHcrnc papers 53 



Nome is neither wild nor lawless. Good 
order is maintained and a gun plays" are sel- 
dom seen. And vet it is a '•Ted hot town." 

The beach diggings are practically closed i 
for the winter although here and there a hardy j 
miner may still be seen rocking on the sea- j 
shore. 

The scarcity of lumber has seriously re- 
tarded building operation in Nome and many 
people will have to hustle lively to get winter 
quarters. 

The Pacific coast cities will be the home 
of many men with '■'well filled pokes" this 
winter. But most of the owners of the af- 
oresaid pokes will come back to replenish 
them next spring. 

Col. O. V. Davis arrived from Daw r son 
last week and will engage in business here. 
The Colonel, as is well know is devoted to 
secret societies and while at St. Michaels 
lately he organized the order of u Sour 
Doughs," which he purposes to implant at 
Nome.'' 

D. J. McKinney has secured a lot just 
south of the A. T. Co.. store on which he 
purposes erecting a three story hotel in the 
spring. The building will be brought from 
Seattle in sections. 



54 Gxtracts from JNfomc Papers 



The Hobo Kid is said to have celebrated 
his arrival from Dawson City by winning 
several hundred dollars at faro and thresh- 
ing a fellow who insulted his best girl. 

Sam C. Dunham, who has been assigned 
to the duty of taking a census of the nortben 
division of Alaska, has appointed Mr. Becker 
to be the enumerator for the district of Nome. 
The gentleman will comence his work im- 
meadiately after the freeze up. 

A celebrity know as Mission Bill, who 
had previously made a fortune in the Klon- 
dike, left for the states on the Portland -with 
a big poke of Nome gold, rocked by himself 
and partner Cummings from the ruby sand 
of the beach. 

Judge W. T. Hume, has gone to the out- 
side, to his old home in Portland, Oregon to 
spend the winter : and the Judge is said to 
have a poke containing $20,000, the result of 
his hustling abilities during his residence in 
Nome. 

Dr. Reninger, of Dawson, lias cast his 
lot with the metropolis of Behring Sea. lie 
was ai Sheep camp during the terrible snow 
slides, where he rendered valuable service to 

the rescued victims. 



Bxtracts from JNome papers 55 

Mr. Sain C. Dunham, whose excellent poem, 
"Alaska to Uncle Sam" appears below, is the 
posessor of a broad and comprehensive mind. 
There is not a resident of Alaska who will not 
appreciate the lines, although the truths that 
tluy eo.itain may prick the hides of some. 

The Nome News. 

Alaska to Uncle Sim* 

By Sam C. Dunham. 
Sitting on my greatest glacier, 

With my feet in Behring Sea, 
1 am thinking, cold and lonely, 

< i the way you've treated me. 
Three-and -thirty years of silence! 

Through ten thousand sleepless nights 
I've been praying for your corning, 

For the dawn of civil rights. 

When you tore me, young and trusting. 

From the growling Russian Bear, 
Loud you swore before the nations 

I should have the Eagle's care! 
(Never yet has wing of eagle 

Casta shadow on my peak . 
But I've watched the flight of buzzards 

And I've felt their busy beaks.) 

Your imposed cross-roads statesmen 

(What a motely, sordid tra ; n! 
Come with laws conceived in closets — 

Made for loot and private gain! 



These the best that you can furnish? 

Then, God help the heathen folk 
You have rescued from the burden 

Of the rotten Spanish yoke! 

I'm a full grown, proud-souled woman, 

And I'm getting very sick — 
Wearing all the cast-off garments 

Of your body politic. 
Tf you'll give me your permission, 

I will make some wholesome laws 
That will suit my hard conditions 

And promote our country's cause. 
By the latest mail you sent me 

(Nearly all your mails are late) 
Conies the news that you've gone roving 

In your proud old Ship of State, — 
Dreaming with a sunburnt siren, 

By the sultry southern sea-;, 
Where the songs of your enchantress 

Swoon upon the scented breeze. 
You are blind with lust of conquest 

And desire for foreign trade, 
Or you'd see the half drawn dagger, 

With its brightly burnished blade, 
Sticking in the loosened girdle 

Of the black brute by your side — 
If you treat her as I'm treated 

She will stiek it through your hide.) 
Curb your taste for sun-killed countries. 

Where the natives loaf and shirk! 
Come to richer northern regions, 

Where the people think and work. 



If you want a part of Asia 

When the Chinamen are killed, 

Run a railroad up to Behring — 
(I will show you where to build.) 

Come next spring and count my treasures 

And don't stop at Glacier Bay, 
Like the many high commissions 

You have started up this way. 
You will see my wooded mountains. 

With their citadels of snow, 
Gleaming in the purple distance 

Through a pcarl-hued alpen glow. 

Standing on my flower-strewn hillsides, 

Where my mighty rivers meet, 
Gazing o'er my verdant valleys, 

vSt retching seaward from your feet. 
You will see the sun-lit splendor 

Of my moonless midnight skies, 
Gilded with the light supernal 

vShining straight from Paradise,. 

If you stay till hoary winter 

Has entomed the silent land, 
You will read celestial sermons, 

Written by the Master's hand 
On the azure walls of heaven, 

Wher^- Aurora's tinted light 
Weirdly flits like summer lightning 

All the ghostly Arctic night. 

When you come I'll show you wonders 

That will cause you great surprise, 
And if gold is what you're seeking, 



You will open wide your eyes. 
(Drive away your Wall street schemers, 

With their coupons and their nerve, — 
Then, while you extend your commerce, 

I'll expand your gold reserve.) 
You will find a magic city 

On the shore of Behring Strait 
Which shall be for you a station 

To unload your Arctic freight, 
Where the gold of Humboldt's vision 

Has for countless ages lain, 
Waiting for the hand of labor 

And the Saxon's tireless brain. 
You shall have a cool vacation, 

Hunting for the great white bear, 
And you'll soon forget Manilla 

And the trouble you've had there; 
For, as in the morn of nations 

Every highway led to Rome, 
You and all your restless rivals 

Will be sailing straight to Nome, 

Staking Claims, 

Take six poles along with you, with the bark 
cleaned off and ready for use for your stakes; 
make them 4 inches square by 6 feet long, num- 
bering them as in cut below and on arriving at 
your destination, commence staking, by placing 
stake No. 1 in the centre of the creek; measure 
off with a tape line 330 feet to the right to stake 
No. 2; thence 1,320 feet at right angles to stake 
No. 3; thence 330 feet to the left to stake No. 4; 



Hppendix. 59 

thence 330 feet to stake No. 5; thence 1,320 feet 
at right angles to stake No. 6 and 330 feet back 
to stake No 1. 

porm 1. Discovery JNotice. 

The lode, discovered by 

190 claim feet and feet from discov- 
ery. 

The above form may be used b}^ prospectors 
who cannot, at the time of discovery run the 
lines, and definitely describe the location; within 
a resonable time (thirty days) the lines should 
be surveyed or definitely located, and a new loca- 
tion notice posted. (See form below.) 

■porm 2. JNotice of Location. 

Notice is hereby given that the undersigned 
having complied with the requirements of chap- 
ter 6, title 32, Revised Statutes of the United 
States, and the local customs, laws and regula- 
tions, has located linear feet on the 

lode, situated in mining district, in 

County, State of ; described as 

follows 

Discovered Located Locator 

■porm 3. JNotice of Location. 

Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, 
in compliance with the requirements of the Re- 
vised Statutes of the U.S., has this day located 
the following described Placer Mining Grounds, 
commencing at 



6o * Hppendtx. 

situate in the Mining District 

of This claim shall be known 

as the Placer Mining Claim. 

Located day of 190 

Care must be taken to describe the claim ac- 
curately by references to natural objects, such as 
mountains or spurs, and the boundaries must be 
also distinctly marked on the ground to show 
the extent and location of the claim, being suit- 
able monuments. Should be as nearly as practi- 
cable as the following diagram: 

No. 6 . No. 5 



No. 

1 



Discovery Stake (•) 

Location Stake (•) 



No. 

4 



No. 2 No. 3 

form 4. Location Certificate— Lode 6laim. 

Know all men by these presents, that I 

.... of the County of State of 

claim by right of discovery aud location fee t . 

Linear and horizontal measurement, on the 

Lode, along the vein thereof, with all its dips. 
variations and angles; together with •• ■ feet in 
width on each side of the middle of said vein at 
the surface, and all veins, lodes, ledges, deposits 



Hppendtx* 61 



and surface ground within the lines of said claim 

feet on said lode running from the 

center of the discovery shaft. 

Said claim is situated in the of 

in mining district, County of 

State of and bounded and described as 

follows 

Date of discovery 190 Staked and 

located 190 Date of certificate 190 



Attest. 



As a part of this form and in addition to the 
data therein given, the claimant is required to 
state the names of adjoining claims, and if none 
adjoin, the relative positions of those nearest, or 
show by affidavit or otherwise why this is not 
done. This is an essential requirement. 

This notice must be recorded in the office of 
the mining recorder and in the office of the au- 
ditor of the County in which the claim is situate. 

■porrn 1 o. Hpplication for patent. 

County of ss. 

Application for patent for the mining 

claim. To"the Register and Receiver of the U. 
vS. Land Office at being duly sworn accor- 
ding to law, deposes and says, that in virtue of a 
compliance with the mining rules, regulations 

and customs, by himself the said • arid his 

co-claimants (residence of each should be stated) 



6z Hppendix. 

applicants for patents herein, ha 

become the owner of and in the aciual, 

quiet and undisturbed possession of linear 

feet of the vein, lode or deposit, bearing 

together with surface ground feet 

in width, for the convenient working thereof, as 
allowed by local rules and customs of miners; 
said mineral claim, vein, lode or deposit and sur- 
face ground being situated in the mining 

district, County of and of 

and being more particularly set forth and descri- 
bed in the official field notes of survey thereof, 

hereto attached, dated day of A. D., 190 

and in the official plat of said survey, now posted 
conspicuously upon said mining claim or prem- 
ises, a copy of which is filed herewith. Depon- 
ent further states that the facts relative to the 
right of posession of himself (and his said co- 
claimants hereinbefore named) to said mining 
claim, vein, lode or deposit and surface ground, 
so surveyed and platted, are substantially as fol- 
lows, to-wit: 

(Trace the history of the lode fully. ) Which 
will more fully appear by reference to the copy 
of the original record of location and the abstract 
of title hereto attached and made a part of this 
affidavit; the value of the labor done and im- 
provements made upon said claim, by 

himself and his grantors, being to the sum of live 
hundred dollars, and said improvements consist 



Hppcndix. 63 

of (describe fully). In consideration of which 
facts, and in conformity with the provisions of 
Chapter Six of Title Thirty-two of the Revised 
Statutes of the United States, application is here- 
by made for and in behalf of said for a 

patent from the Government of the United States 

for the the said mining claim, vein, 

lode, deposit and the surface ground so officiallv 
surveyed and platted. 



Subscribed to and sworn to before me this 

day of A. D., 190 and I hereby 

certify that I consider the above deponent a 
credible and reliable person, and that the fore- 
going affidavit, to which was attached the field 

notes of survey of the mining claim, 

was read and examined by him before his signa- 
ture was affixed thereto and the oath made by 
him. (Official Signature.) 

Note — The above is slightly changed in ap- 
plying for placer mines. 

JMining Laws in Hlaska* 

placer Claims. 

The general mining laws of the United States 
apply to Alaska. Claims usually called "pla- 
cers" are subject to entry and patent under Uni- 
ted States mining law. No single individual 
can locate more than twenty acres of placer land, 
and no location by an association of persons can 



64 Hppctidtx. 

exceed one hundred and sixty acres. These arc 
the maximum amounts which can be located by 
a person or association, but smaller areas can be 
located, and this has been done in several cases 
in Alaska where there is not sufficent ground 
to allot full sized claims. The price per acre of 
placer claims is $2.50 

When a placer contains veins or lodes, the 
coi5t per acre for such included vein or lode, with 
twenty-five feet on each side thereof, is #5 per 
acre, the remainder, the ordinary price for placer 
land. If the claim be all placer ground, the fact 
must be stated in the application and corrobora- 
ted by accompanying proofs. If of mixed placer 
and lodes it should be set out with a description 
of all known lodes, seperately, situated in the 
boundaries of the claim. A specific declaration 
as to each lode intended to be claimed must be 
made, any other lode known to exist within the 
limits of such placer claim, and not covered by 
such declaration, is by the silence of the appli- 
cant, excluded by law from all claimed by him 
of whatsoever nature, possessory or otherwise. 

When a new district is discovered, miners 
may select a Recorder of Claims, providing no 
regular government official, authorized to per- 
form such duties, is within convenient distance. 
All locations must be distinctly marked on the 
ground, and the official survey thereof is required 



Hppendtx. 65 

to be identical with or within the lines of the re- 
corded location. 

Lode Claims. 

A lode location may contain an area of 
twenty and sixty-six hundredths acres. It may 
be fifteen hundred feet in length and six hun- 
dred feet in width, but no more. The end lines 
of a location must be parallel. The location 
must be distinctly marked on the ground The 
official survey of same is required to be identical 
with or within the lines of location. The price 
for a lode claim is #5 per acre. 

patent. 

A patent for land claimed or located under 
the United States Mining Laws applicable to 
Alaska may be obtained in the following man- 
ner; 

Any person, association or corporation, en- 
titled by law to locate mineral lands, having a 
valid location on placer ground or vein or lode, 
wishing to make entry of same must first have 
an official survey of it. The survey niust be ex- 
ecuted by a duly appointed United States Deputy 
Mineral Surveyor. Th first step to be taken to 
secure this end is to obtain a certified copy of 
the location notice from the Recorder of the dis- 
trict in which the claim is situated, of the claim 
sought to be surveyed, and forward same to the 
Unites States Survey General with an application 



66 Hppendix. 

for survey, together with a request that an esti- 
mate of the cost in connection therewith be fur- 
nished. If the location conforms to law and reg- 
ulations thereunder, the estimate will be furni- 
shed. The applicant will then deposit the 
required amount in some United States Deposit- 
ory, and upon receipt of the duplicate certificate 
of deposit by the Surveyor General, he will issue 
order for survey. 

Upon approval of the survey by the Surveyor 
General, the applicant will be furnished with 
two approved plats and a certified copy of the 
field notes thereof. The claimant will then post 
one of the plats, together with a notice of appli- 
cation for patent, in a conspicuous place on the 
land embraced in such plat. The claimant will 
then file the other plat and the certified copy of 
the field notes with his application for patent in 
the proper U.S. Land Office, together with the 
affidavit of, at least, two persons that the proper 
notice has been duly posted on the claim, and 
shall file a cop}- of said notice in such Land office 
and shall thereupon be entitled to a patent to the 
land in the following manner: 

The Register of said Land Office, upon the 
filing of such application, plat, field notes, notices 
and affidavits, shall publish a notice that such 
application has been made, for a period of sixty 
days in a uewpaper, to be by him designated as 
published , nearest to such claim, and he shall 



Hppcndtx. 67 

post such notice in his office for the same period. 
The claimant at the time of filing such application 
or at any time thereafter, within sixty days of 
publication, shall file with Register a certificate 
of the U.S. Surveyor General, that $500 worth 
of work has been expended, or improvement 
made upon the claim by himself or grantors; 
that the plat is correct with such further descrip- 
tion of natural object by reference to natural ob- 
jects or permanent monuments as shall identify 
the claim and furnish an accurate description to 
be incorporated in the patent, at the expiration 
of the sixty days of publication, the claimant 
shall file his affidavit showing that the plat and 
notice have been posted in a conspicuous place 
on the claim during the period of publication. 
If no adverse claim shall have been filed with 
the Register of the Land Office at the expiration 
of said sixty days, the claimant is entitled to a 
patent, upon the payment to the proper office of 
$5 per acre in the case of a lode claim, and $2.50 
for a placer. 

The Act of Congress of May 17, 1884, provid- 
ing a civil government for Alaska, provides that: 
"The laws of the United States relating to min- 
ing claim§ and the rights incident thereto, shall, 
from and after the passage of this act, be in full 
force and effect in said district." The further 
mining laws applicable are as follows: 

United States Revised Statutes, Sec. 2318. 



68 Hppcndtx. 

In all cases lands valuable for minerals shall be 
reserved from sale, except as otherwise expressly 
directed by law. 

Sec. 2319. All valuable mineral deposits in 
lands belonging to the United vStates, both sur- 
veyed and unsurveyed, are hereby declared to be 
free and open to exploration and purchase, and 
the lands in which they are found to occupation 
and purchase, by citizens of the United States 
and those who have declared their intention to 
become such, under regulations prescribed by 
law, and according to the local customs or rules 
of miners in the several mining districts, so far 
as the same are applicable and not inconsistent 
with the laws of the United States. 

Sec. 2320. Mining claims upon viens or 
lodes or quartz or other rock in place, bearing 
gold, silver, cinabar, lead, tin, copper, or other 
valuable deposits heretofore located, shall be 
governed as to length along the vein or lode by 
the customs, regulations and laws in force a' the 
date of location. A mining claim located after 
the tenth of May. eighteen hundred and seventy 
two, whether located by one or more persons) 
may equal but shall not exceed, one thousand 
five hundred feet in length along the vein or 
lode; but no location of a mining claim shall be 
made until the discovery of the vein or lode 
within the limits of the claim located. Noclaim 
shall extend more than three hundred feet on 



Hppendix* 69 

each side of the middle of the vein at the surface 
nor shall any claim be limited by any mining 
regulation to less than twenty-five feet on each 
side of the middle of the vein at the surface, ex- 
cept where adverse rights existing on the tenth 
day of May, eighteen hundred and seventy two, 
render such limitation necessary. The end lines 
of each claim shall be parallel to each other. 

Sec. 2322. The locators of all mining loca- 
tions heretofore made or which shall hereafter 
be made, on any mineral vein, lode, or ledge, 
situated on the public domain, their heirs and 
assigns, where no adverse claim exists on the 
tenth day of May, eighteen hundred and seventy 
two, so long as they comply with the laws of the 
United States, and with States, territorial, and 
local regulations not in conflict with the laws of 
the United States governing their possessory 
title, shall have the exclusive right of possession 
and enjoyment of all the surface included within 
the lines of their locations, and of all the veins, 
lodes and ledges, throughout their entire depth, 
and the top of the apex which lies inside of such 
surface lines extended downward vertically, al- 
1 hough such veins, lodes or ledges may so far 
depart from a perpendicular in their course 
downward as to extend outside the vertical out- 
side lines of such surface locations. But their 
right of posession to such outside parts of such 
veins or ledges shall be confined to such portions 



70 Hppendix. 

thereof as lie between vertical planes drawn 
downward as above described, through the end 
lines of their locations, so continued in their own 
direction that such planes will intersect such ex-' 
terior parts of such veins or ledges. And no- 
thing in this section shall authorize the locator 
or posessor of a vein or lode which extends in its 
downward course beyond the vertical lines of 
his claim to enter upon the surface of a claim 
owned or posessed by another. 

Sec. 2324. The miners of each mining dis- 
trict shall make regulations not in conflict with 
the laws of the United States, or with the laws of 
the state or territory in which the district is sit- 
uated, governing the location, manner of record- 
ing, amount of work necessary to hold possession 
of a mining claim, subject to the following re- 
quirements: The location must be distinctly 
marked on the ground so that its boundaries can 
be readily traced. All records of mining claims 
hereafter made shall contain the name or names 
of the locators, the date of the location and such 
description of the claim or claims located by ref- 
erence to some natural object or permanent mon- 
ument as will identify the claim. On each claim 
located after the tenth day of May, eighteen hun- 
dred and seventy-two, and until a patent has 
beetl issued therefor, not less than one hundred 
dollars' worth of labor shall be performed or im- 
provement made during each year. On all 



Hppendtx* 71 

claims located prior to the tenth of May, eight- 
teen hundred and seventy-two, ten dollars' worth 
of labor shall be performed, or improvements 
made by the tenth of June, eighteen hundred 
and seventy-four, and each year thereafter for 
each one hundred feet along the vein until a pat- 
ent has been issued therefor; but where such 
claims are held in common, such expenditure 
may be made upon any one claim; and upon fail- 
ure to comply with these conditions, the claim 
or mine upon which such failure occured shall 
be opened to relocation in the same manner as if 
no location of the same had ever been made: pro- 
vided, that the original locators, their heirs, 
assigns, or legal representatives, have not re- 
sumed work upon the claim after failure and be- 
fore such location. Upon the failure of anyone 
of several co-owners who have performed the la- 
bor, or made the improvements, may, at the ex- 
piration of the year, give such delinquent co- 
owner personal notice in writing or notice by 
publication in the newspaper published nearest 
the claim, for at least once a w T eek for ninety 
days, and if at the expiration of ninety days af- 
ter such notice in writing, or by publication, 
such delinquent should fail or refuse to contrib- 
ute his proportion of the expenditure required 
by this section, his interest in the claim shall be- 
come the property of his co-owners, who have 
made the expenditures. 



72 Hppendix. 

vSec. 2-- 

sect or cross each other, priority of title shall 
govern, and such prior location shall be entitled 
to all ore or mineral contained within the space 
of intersection; but the subsequent location shall 
have the right of way through the space of inter- 
section for the purposes of the convenient work- 
ing of the mine. And where two or more veins 
unite, the oldest, or prior location shall take the 
vein below the point of union, inclnding the 
space of intersection. 

■Sec. 2325. A patent for any land claimed 
and located for valuable deposits may be ob- 
tained in the following manner. Any person, 
association or corporation authorized to locate a 
claim under this chapter, having claimed and 
located a piece of land for such purposes, who 
has, or have, complied Avith the terms of this 
chapter, may file in the proper land office an 
application for a patent, under oath, showing 
such compliance, together with a plat and held 
notes of the claim or claims in common, made 
by or under the direction of the United States 
Surveyor-General, Showing accurately the boun- 
daries of the claim or claims, which shall be dis- 
tinctly marked by monuments on the ground, 
and shall post a copy of such plat, together with 
a notice of such application for a patent in a con- 
picuous place on the laud embraced in such plat 
previous to the filing of the application for a pat- 



Hppendix. 73 

ent and shall file an affidavit of at least two per- 
sons that such notice- has been duly posted, and 
shall file a copy of such notice in such land office 
and shall thereupon be entitled to a patent for 
the land, in the manner following: The register 
of the land office, upon the filing of such appli- 
cation, plat, field notes, notices, and affidavits, 
shall publish a notice that such application has 
been made, for the period of sixty days in a 
newspaper to be by him designated as published 
nearest to such claims and he shall also post 
such notice in his office for the same period. 

The claimant at the time of filing this applica- 
tion, or at any time thereafter, within sixty days 
of publication, shall file with the register a certi- 
ficate of the United States Surveyor General 
that five hundred dollars' worth of labor has 
been expended upon improvements made upon 
the claim by himself or grantors; that the plat is 
correct, with such further description by such 
reference to natural objects or permanent monu- 
ments as shall identify the claim and furnish an 
accurate description, to be incorporated in the 
patent. At the expiration of sixty days of publi- 
cation the claimant shall file his affidavit show- 
ing that the plat and notice have been posted in 
a conspicuous place on the claim during such 
period of publication. If no adverse claim shall 
have been filed with the register and the receiver 
of the proper land office at the expiration of the 



74 Hppendix* 

sixty days of publication, it shall be assumed 
that the applicant is entitled to a patent, upon 
the payment to the proper officer of live dollars 
per acre, and that no adverse claim exists; and 
that thereafter no objections from third parties 
to the issuance of a patent shall be heard, except 
it be shown that the applicant has failed to com- 
ply with the terms of this chapter. 

Sec. 2327. The description of vein or 'lode 
claims, upon surveyed lands, shall designate the 
location of the claim with reference to the lines 
of the public surveys, but need not conform 
therewith; but where a patent shall be issued for 
claims upon unsurveyed lands, the Surveyor- 
General, in extending the surveys shall adjust 
the same to the boundaries of such patented 
claims; according to the plat or description 
thereof, but so as in no case to interfere with or 
change the location of any such patented claim. 

Act of Congress of January 22, [880. — An act 
to amend sections twenty-three hundred and 
twenty-four and twenty-three hundred and 
twenty-five of the Revised Statutes of the United 
States concerning mineral lands. 

Be it enacted, etc., That section twenty-three 
hundred and twenty-five of the Revised Statutes 
of the United States be amended by adding here- 
to the following words, "Provided. That where 
the claimant for a patent is not a resident of or 



Hppendix. 75 

in the land district wherein the vein, "lode, ledge 
or deposit sought to be patented is located, the 
application for patent and the affidavits required 
to be made in this section by the claimant for 
such patent may be made by his, her, or its 
authorized agent where said agent is conversant 
with the facts sought to be established by said 
affidavits: and provided, that this section shall 
apply to all applications now pending for pat- 
ents to mineral lands.' 1 

Sec. 2. That section twenty-three hundred 
and twenty-four of the Revised Statutes of the 
United States be amended by adding thereto the 
following words: "Provided, That the period in 
which the work required to be done annually on 
all unpatented mineral claims shall commence 
on the first day of January succeeding the date 
of location of such claim, and this section shall 
apply to all claims located since the tenth of 
May, anno Domini eighteen hundred and sev- 
enty-two." 

Act of Congress of February n, 1875. — An 
act to amend section two thousand three hun- 
dred and twenty-four of the Revised Statutes, 
relating to the development of the mining re- 
sources of the United States. 

Be it enacted, etc.. That section two thous- 
and three hundred and twenty-four of the Re- 
vised Statutes be, and the same is herebv amen- 



76 Hppcndix. 

ded to that where a person or company has, or 
may run a tunnel for the purpose of developing 
a lode, or lodes, owned by said person or com- 
pany, the money so expended in said tunnel 
shall be taken and considered as expended on 
said lode or lodes in order to hold the same as 
required by said act. 

United States Law. — Sec. 2323. Where a 
tunnel is run for the development of a vein, or 
lode, or for the discovery of mines, the owners 
of such tunnels shall hare the right of possession 
of all veins or lodes within three thousand feet 
from the face of such tunnel on the line thereof, 
not previously known to exist, discovered in 
such tunnel, to the same extent as if discovered 
from the surface; and such locations on the line 
of such tunnel of veins or lodes not appearing 
on the surface, made by other parties after the 
commencement of the tunnel, and while the 
same is being prosecuted with reasonable dilli- 
gence, shall be invalid; but failure to prosecute 
the work on the tunnel for six months shall be 
considered as an abandonment of the right to all 
undiscovered veins on the line of such tunnel. 

placer Claims. 

Sec. 2329. Claims usually called "placers" 
including all forms of deposit, excepting veins 
of quartz, or other rock in place, shall be subject 
to entry and patent, under like circumstances 



Hppendtx- 7J 

and conditions, and upon similar proceedings, 
as are provided for vein or lode claims; but 
where the lands have been previously surveyed 
by the United States, the entry in its exterior 
limits shall conform to the legal sub divisions of 
the public lands. 

United States Law. — Sec. 2330. Legal sub- 
divisions of forty acres may be subdivided into 
ten acre tracts; and two or more persons, or asso- 
ciation of persons, having contiguous claims of 
any size, although such claims may be less than 
ten acres each, may take joint entry thereof, but 
no location of a placer claim, made after the 
ninth day of July, eighteen hundred and seventy 
shall exceed one hundred and sixty acres for any 
person, or association of persons, which location 
shall conform to the United States surveys; and 
nothing in this section contained shall defeat or 
impair any bona fide pre-emption or homestead 
claim upon agricultural lands, or authorize the 
sale of improvements of any bona fide settler to 
any purchaser. 

Sec. 2331. Where placer claims are upon 
surveyed lands, and conform to legal subdivi- 
sions, no futher survey or plat shall be required, 
and all placer mining claims located after the 
tenth of May, eighteen hundred and seventy-two, 
shall conform as near as practicable with the 
United States system of public lands surveys, 
and no such location shall include more than 

L.ofC. 



78 Hppendix. 

twenty acres Tor each individual claimant; but 
where placer claims cannot be conformed to le- 
gal subdivisions, survey and plat shall be made 
as on unsurveyed lands; and where by the segre- 
gation of mineral lands in any legal subdivisions 
a quantity of agricultural laud less than 
acres remains such fractional portions of agricul- 
tural lands may be entered by any party qualified 
by law, for homestead or pre-emption purposes. 

pUcer GUims containg Lodes. 

United States Law. — Sec. 233$. Where the 
same person, association or corporation is in pos- 
session of a placer claim, and also a vein or lode 
included within the boundaries thereof, applica- 
tion shall be made for a patent for the placer 
claim, with the statement that it includes such 
vein or lode, and in such case a patent shall 
issue for a placer claim, subject to the provisions 
of this chapter, including such vein or lode, up- 
on the payment of five dollars per acre for such 
vein or lode claim, and twenty-five feet of sur- 
face on each side thereof. The remainder of the 
placer claim, or any placer claim not embracing 
any vien or lode claim, shall be paid at the rate 
of two dollars and fifty cents per acre, together 
with all costs of proceedings, and where a vein 
or lode, such as described in section twenty-three 
hundred and twenty, is known to exist within 
the boundaries of a placer claim, an application 
itent lor such placer claim which does not 



Hppendix* 79 

include an application for the vein or lode claim 
shall be construed as a conclusive declaration 
•that the claimant of the placer claim has no 
right of possession of the vein or lode claim; but 
where the existence of a vein or lode in a placer 
claim is not known, a patent for the placer claim 
shall convey all valuable mineral and other de- 



United States Law. — Sec. 2332. Where such 
person, or association, they and their grantors 
have held and worked their claims for a period 
equal to the time prescribed by the statute of 
limitations for mining claims of the State or Ter- 
ritory where the same may be situated, evidence 
of such possession and the working of the claims 
for such period shall be sufficient to establish a 
right to a patent thereto under this chapter, in 
the absence of any adverse claim; but nothing in 
this chapter shall be deemed to impair any lien 
which may have attached in any way whatever 
to any mining claim or property thereto attached 
prior to the issuance of a patent. 

United States Law. — Sec. 2321. Proof of cit- 
izenship, under this chapter, may consist, in the 
case of arrindivual, of his own affidavit thereof;, 
in the case of an association of persons unincor- 
porated, of the affidavit of their authorized agent, 
made on his own knowledge, or upon informa- 
tion and belief, and in the case of a corporation 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



80 

organized under tl ^j 2g7 ^^ c 
or of any State or ' .' -. 

of a certified copy of their charter or certificate 
of incorporation. 



L 



Correction* 

Through a mistake in the typewrittc 
copy, the date of my leaving Cape Noil 
is printed as October 22. It should ret 
October 29. The AuTho 




r 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




